34 



as could be learned through inquiry, the vicinities of Shoshone, Bel view, 

 Hailey, Ketchum, Boise, etc., are quite free from locusts at this time. 

 Not so, however, as regards the large Anabrus. Much trouble is 

 reported to have occurred over a considerable portion of south Idaho, 

 its droves having done much damage to crops and garden plants. No 

 stop was made to investigate these crickets, since it was already too 

 late in the season for such investigations. 



At no point in Oregon, and not until Wallawalla in Washington had 

 been reached and passed, did we perceive further indications of locust 

 injuries. All along the Snake Biver and from there to Colfax, Pullman, 

 Moscow, Lewiston, and Waha more or less injury had been done, and 

 in many places was still being committed. Among the species observed 

 in this region at different points were M. femoratus, M. fcedus, M. 

 atlanis, Camnula pellucida, and Dissosteira ohliterata. Each of these 

 was present in abnormal numbers, but only, perhaps, on account of 

 their having gathered at certain points from the surrounding pasture, 

 where no vegetation remained. 



A careful study of the situation in the area embraced by this some- 

 what local locust outbreak would seem to point to the fact that the 

 present year was one of unusual drought for this part of the country. 

 The grass on the hillsides and in pastures was consequently scanter 

 and shorter than ordinarily, hence was sooner grazed off by stock, 

 aided by somewhat augmented numbers of 'hoppers. The latter then 

 moved toward cultivated grounds, where they gathered and injured 

 both grain and fruit trees. While no one district was completely devas- 

 tated by the insects, taking the region as a whole, much damage was 

 done. In a number of places, more especially along Snake Biver, where 

 there is still much cultivated ground among the adjoining hills, large 

 numbers of fruit trees were completely defoliated, while the fruit with 

 which they were laden was still immature. Some of these defoliated 

 trees early in the season put out new leaves, but those that suffered 

 the loss of foliage later and those very full of fruit were still bare at 

 the time I was in the country. Of course such loss of leaves will injure 

 the trees in addition to the loss of the fruit crop for the year. 



The outlook for this region in the near future, to my mind, is not as 

 encouraging as I would wish it to be. 



The pest appears to be on the increase rather than on the decrease. 

 No disease was found among the 'hoppers in any of the districts visited 

 by me, nor had any of the persons with whom I conversed on the sub- 

 ject observed any such attack. True, many dipterous parasites were 

 found attacking the locusts at all points, as were also predaceous insects, 

 birds, and other natural enemies. These working alone, however, would 

 hardly be sufficient to entirely check the increase of the plague should 

 climatic conditions prove favorable for their development the coming 

 year. Then, too, the very rough nature of the country where the locusts 

 have bred would preclude the use of the kerosene pans or hopperdozers 



